Tallahassee City Commission to Address Charter Review Process

On September 13th, the Tallahassee City Commission will consider adopting parameters related to initiating a Tallahassee charter review.

At its August 21, 2023, meeting, the city commission voted to initiate a charter review process including a charter review committee (CRC) to be appointed with the purpose of bringing recommendations to the City Commission This item summarizes actions from that meeting and provides additional information.

The item scheduled for the next meeting seeks approval on the four items provided below:   

1. Approve CRC makeup of two members appointed by each City Commissioner.
2. Approve acceptance of applications through existing boards and committee portal.
3. Approve requirement that CRC members must be electors of the City of Tallahassee registered before October 1, 2023.
4. Provide direction concerning public input, committee function, and timetable.

If adopted as recommended, the City will begin taking applications on October 1st and commence meetings of the CRC on January 16th, 2024.

Steps in a timeline for a CRC are presented below. 

If any changes to the charter are recommended, the timeline notes that the deadline for submitting ballot language to Leon County Supervisor of Elections for 2024 ballot is June, 2024.

The item also notes that any special election specifically for purposes of a charter referendum would 1) require coordination of timing of such election with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, 2) require expenditure of $300,000-$500,000 to conduct such an election, and 3) generate very limited voter turnout (typically less than 15% turnout)